Archive for the ‘Raising a Teenager’ Category:

It’s summer once again and I have to think of ways to keep my kids busy.

After discussing with my children, and asked them what they like, my boy decided to take up piano lessons. He was also considering guitar lessons so he can also learn to use her sister’s nylon string guitar but I told him once you know how to read notes, it will be easy for you to read chords. So, piano lessons it is for him this summer.

As for my daughter, Hubby asked her to work for our newly opened office for the summer so she can help set up I say it’s a good training ground especially now that she has graduated from high school. It’s also a good time to bond with us, her parents before she goes into a boarding house next year.

When I hear about stories like teenage pregnancy, substance abuse and even too much partying among teenagers nowadays, I thank the LORD for guiding me through my decision of being a full-time Mom.

The bond between me and my kids are so strong that even though their Dad now takes them to school and I am back to working, they still come to me for everything. Admittedly, I get irritated at times when they have spent the whole trip to school with their father and still not say a word but when I think about it, I feel really guilty! That’s when I realize that it’s easier for my kids to approach me anytime cause we have spent more time together when they were growing up. How can I not understand that?

The other night Hubby and I were already at the brink of argument because my daughter comes home from school very late because of her PEP Squad training and her being part of a production in the school play. I had to remind my hubby that it is better that our kids are involved in school activities rather than in some other unproductive and life-destructing habits.

“Ninety percent of American high school students report that some of their classmates are using illicit drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, during the school day, a new survey found.

When asked to estimate how many were involved, these teens reported that about 17 percent of students — roughly 2.8 million — are abusing drugs during the school day, according to the survey.” – US News Health

Alarming indeed. That’s why there are a lot of facilities that cater to Drug Alcohol Detox Rehab, but what if you cannot afford one? I am sure those facilities like drug rehab los angeles can cost a fortune.

That’s why the responsibility falls on parents like me to keep these children away from the harmful vices and from peers who can influence them. Prevention is still better than cure.

Yes, I will have a college student next year. Time flies so fast and I have been telling myself that for the past years. I sometimes cannot cope up with it. Oh well, I just have to make the most out of it.

Next month, my daughter will graduate from high school. What she is excited about right now is her graduation ball. I have hired someone to make her ball gown. The firs fitting went well last night and she is happy with the dress. Photos to follow — I don’t want to preempt the excitement.

As for the stage mom — that’s me! I have arranged everything to make her night a memorable one.

As early as grade school, I have opened an account for my kids so they can start saving up and teach how to spend their money wisely. What goes in their account are savings from their allowances, gifts during their birthdays and Christmas, and me and my mom deposits extra cash whenever we have.

Next year, my daughter will enter college and now I am thinking of opening some sort of rechargeable credit cards or a debit card, so she won’t have to bring cash anywhere she goes. Especially if she’s riding the public transportation.

I am sure there is one bank instrument that can provide this where I am able to track my kid’s spending and remain connected even if she decides to live in a boarding house.

Oh well… time flies so fast! My eldest will soon be on her own while she studies college. Although I want to be at her side at all times, but I have too let her wing spread so she can find her own destiny.

Being a parent always has its challenges and rewards especially when you have a teenage girl. There are a lot of pressure from people around them coupled with their raging hormones and the struggle to find a place in society. That is why it is important for parents to always be there for our teenage kids.

Recently, I had a chance to bond and share my hip and trendy beauty regimen with my teenage daughter. She attended her first prom night last weekend. We all know that for any girl, attending a prom is a milestone in our lives.

The preparation started a month before by choosing her gown, the next week would be the shoes and then I had to have her accessory customized for her gown.

The days before were dedicated to beauty preparation such having her nails done, waxing, threading, etc. And of course, the day itself has to be for the hair and make up. Oh my! My husband could only sigh at the preparation for this event.

Well, it was worth it. My daughter enjoyed the night. I feel so good to be able to be with her during the momentous occasion in her life. I know that this will have a significant and lasting effect on her. Even the smallest things count when it comes to spending time with our children, such as being there during their performances, going with them to buy their kikay stuff such bags, shoes, and even lingerie. Just to hear to your child say “Thank you!” is the most rewarding experience of all. Nothing beats that!

“Kids go where there is excitement. They stay where there is love.” - Zig Ziglar

It’s been awhile since I have had that “kilig” feeling. And it’s nice to see my teenage daughter share her “kilig moments” with me. Well, I am not suppose to go into the details to respect her privacy, I am just glad to see my daughter opening up to me. Even hubby was surprised to know that my daughter even shares here SMS messages to me. LOL!

I was once there (We all are, aren’t we?) and I know how that shivers get into your spine and you just want to shout out and tell the world. As for me, I only had my friends to share it with — since Mom was kinda strict. That is the very reason why I made it a point to open the communication lines between me and my daughter.

I read this in Twitter today from an anonymous source:

“To be old & wise, you must first have to be young & stupid.”

Which is quite true, you need to be able to explore all the emotions in these world for you to have the wisdom to discern. To love like you’ll never be hurt is the way to live your life. One should not close their doors to any emotions just because they are afraid of being hurt. Emotions are merely the mental state which arises from spontaneity. It is not a conscious effort therefore we can control it. Not to say, that we should welcome sadness or grief into our lives, but we need to accept that it is a part of our lives.

Going back to my teenager, time and again, I am reminded that soon she will spread her wings. It’s seems like yesterday when she requested me to have “Disney Princess” for her pillow and bed sheets, or have that neon stars on the ceiling so she could see them when she sleeps, or even have her choice of kids switch plate covers for her bedroom lights. Time really flies so fast.

***kilig - is that shivery, fuzzy feeling that you get whenever you are infatuated.

I came home one day from my yoga practice and saw my eldest crying and whining. My first instinct was of course, to ask what happened. Then she blurted out the events of the day that led her to cry. One thing good though, she didn’t cry in school.

My daughter even when she was a kid, was such a “cry baby” just like her mom but I have learned through time that crying does not solve anything. And so while she was growing up, we have taught her how to be strong and not be hypersensitive about things. Thanks to her dad, she has slowly outgrown the cry-baby stage … until now.

I tried not to show pity but I really feel for her. She’s the captain of her batch cheering squad and it’s a very big responsibility. When things don’t go her way, it can sometimes make her fall to the ground. My advise is simple. “If things don’t go your way, your tears will not help solve any of your problems. You can cry to release those emotions, but only for awhile. Let go and pick yourself up and try to be objective about things, it will let you focus more on the problem at hand.” It took while for her to stop sobbing but after all the pep talk, I know that she’ll be alright.

Sometimes the reason, why we cry and drown ourselves with sadness is because we keep looking back at the mistakes or the misfortunes that took place. LET IT GO! I am reminded of the quote I saw in Facebook…

When life’s strong winds come blowing, bend with them and let go. By bending, you become stronger in new places. By letting go, you will be making room for the new and the better.

Nowadays, you need to be more flexible. Get out of your comfort zones and try out new things. I used to see myself as an office type of person, where I have a fixed workstation. But lo and behold! I am now an entrepreneur. If I need to work, I do not need a workstation. I can work anywhere just like those hospital computer carts, my mobility does not affect my efficiency.

It took me awhile to find my niche and now I tell myself, “I should have done this a long time ago.” Oh well, it’s never too late …

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But it’s always a struggle to convince your kids to take in food every morning. Even with the daily reminder it is the first meal of the day that gives them an energy boost, the grueling experience still continue.

After my daughter was confined in the hospital, I once again had a chance to remind my children that they need to take care of their body by taking in healthy foods, drinking a lot of water and getting enough sleep. Especially my daughter, who is so figure-conscious. I told her she can opt to have a healthy breakfast by eating oats and cereals, which is always readily available at home, rather than not eating anything at all. I believe that the lack of nutrients coupled with insufficient sleep, was the culprit in weakening her immune system especially when you are an athlete.

For someone who seldom gets sick, who is vibrant and athletic, staying in the hospital for days was one experience my daughter abhored. I trust that my daughter has realized that there are ways to be fit without sacrificing the health.

Breakfast is the meal that fuels our body giving us the energy to carry out our tasks within the day, that is why it is important to “break your fast” everyday. Someday soon my children will be on their own and I do not intend to use spotting scopes to monitor their every move. I trust that I have instilled the habot of healthy eating that they will adhere to as long as they live.

Daughter will be celebrating her birthday next month, this was the conversation we just had today regarding her proposed birthday gift.

Daughter: “Mom, can I sell my cellphone?”
Me: “Huuuwaaat?”, with a stunned reaction.
Daughter: “Mom, it keeps on hanging,” she explained. “I want to sell this and buy a new one.”
Me: “Where will you get the extra money for the new phone?” I was beginning to probe knowing that this conversation will lead somewhere.
Daughter: “I wanted to ask from you if that can be my birthday gift.”
Me: I can only smile as I replied, “I’ll think about it.”

What’s with kids these days? They always want the latest, it’s not as if I can keep with buying them the fad. And to think that my daughter’s phone is not that old and it’s one of the latest. I am sure that she’ll choose a more expensive one as in the likes of an iPhone or any smartphone like the new htc incredibel s. I just wish I have the means to provide but if not, she will have to settle for what she has until we can afford a new one.

As a mom to a cheerleader, I sometimes cannot help but worry about her getting injured. Once she came home with a bruise on the lips, the other time a sprained ankle and so on. I try to be strong but deep inside, I am concerned. Good thing she’s not a flyer — the person the goes up in the air during a stunt — or I’d probably die of heart attack watching her.

I always remind her to play it safe. Prevention is better than cure. It includes knowing the rules of the game and using the proper equipment and gears. I have provided her with support braces for her wrist since she lifts and ankle to support her balance. Good thing there a lot brands available in the market such as aircast hand and wrist support.

When she complains about these injuries, I try to be a mom and show my concern while being strong by saying that if it really hurts then she will have to stop. The latter one I guess is not an option for her at the moment. Her passion for this endeavor is quite commendable for a girl her age.